LIMA―The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will sever the connection to U.S. 23 at County Highway 62 and Township Highway 62 along U.S. 23, just south of the U.S. 23/State Route 199 interchange on the south side of the city of Upper Sandusky, in mid-September.
“Crashes at intersections like this one along high-speed routes are often devastating, resulting in severe injuries or fatalities,” said Chris Hughes, District 1 deputy director. “Due to the proximity of the interchange at State Route 199, removing access at this location will improve safety by redirecting traffic to a better access point on State Route 199,” he said.
The decision to close the medians was made in concurrence with local officials.
During the week of Sept. 18, access to U.S. 23 from Township Road 62 on the east side and County Highway 62 and County Highway 113 on the west side will be permanently removed. Barrels will be placed across the median of the intersections to allow crews to begin removing and modifying the pavement between the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 23, and between U.S. 23 and County Highway 113. A portion of the center median will remain for an emergency access turnaround.
Next year, ODOT plans to construct a cul-de-sac at Township Highway 62 on the west side of U.S. 23. Formal agreements with local officials are underway. Funding for the work was secured from ODOT’s highway safety improvement program.
Signs on U.S. 23 and the local roads approaching the intersections will be modified to reflect the change in access.